59th Illinois Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 59th Illinois Infantry (Union) was an infantry regiment organized during the American Civil War. Originally formed as the 9th Missouri Infantry at St. Louis, Missouri, on September 18, 1861, the regiment was composed of companies raised in Illinois. On February 12, 1862, the War Department officially redesignated it as the 59th Illinois Infantry. The regiment served primarily in the Western Theater and participated in numerous major campaigns and battles throughout the war.

The 59th Illinois Infantry was notable for its extensive combat service, including actions at Pea Ridge, Perryville, Stone’s River, Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta Campaign, and the Battle of Nashville. The regiment was mustered out on December 8, 1865, after serving in Texas during the final months of its service.

Organization & Service

The companies of the 59th Illinois Infantry were recruited in Illinois and mustered in at various times during July, August, and September 1861. Companies A, B, and C, under Captain Clayton Hale, were on duty at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, as early as August 6, 1861. The regiment was initially organized as the 9th Missouri Infantry by Colonel John C. Kelton, a former U.S. Army officer. On February 12, 1862, the regiment was redesignated as the 59th Illinois Infantry by order of the War Department.

The 59th Illinois was attached to the division of Brigadier General Jeff C. Davis and participated in the Battle of Pea Ridge on March 7–8, 1862. The regiment subsequently moved to Bay Springs, Mississippi, in August 1862, where it engaged in a skirmish with Confederate cavalry. It then took part in the Kentucky Campaign, fighting at Perryville on October 8, 1862, where it suffered significant casualties, and at Lancaster on October 14.

During the advance on Stone’s River, the regiment was deployed as skirmishers and engaged the enemy at Nolensville and Knob Gap. At the Battle of Stone’s River (December 31, 1862 – January 2, 1863), the 59th Illinois supported the 5th Wisconsin Battery, held its position under heavy fire, and assisted in recovering artillery pieces. The regiment continued to serve in the Army of the Cumberland, participating in the Tullahoma and Chickamauga campaigns, and was under fire during the siege of Chattanooga.

The 59th Illinois led its brigade in the assault on Missionary Ridge and pursued the enemy to Ringgold, Georgia. On January 12, 1864, the regiment reenlisted as a veteran organization and was granted furlough in Illinois. Returning to the front, it participated in the Atlanta Campaign, engaging at Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, Kingston, Dallas, Acworth, Pine Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, Smyrna Camp Ground, and numerous skirmishes. The regiment was heavily engaged before Atlanta and at Red Oak and Lovejoy’s Station.

Following the Atlanta Campaign, the 59th Illinois joined the pursuit of Hood into Tennessee, fought at Columbia, and played a prominent role in the Battle of Nashville, where it was among the first to plant its colors on captured Confederate works. After the war, the regiment was ordered to New Orleans, Louisiana, and then to Texas, where it was stationed at New Braunfels until mustered out on December 8, 1865. The regiment returned to Springfield, Illinois, for final payment and discharge.

Research This Regiment Further

If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.

Engagements & Campaigns

  • Pea Ridge
  • Bay Springs (skirmish)
  • Perryville
  • Lancaster (skirmish)
  • Nolensville
  • Knob Gap
  • Stone’s River
  • Siege of Chattanooga
  • Missionary Ridge
  • Ringgold
  • Atlanta Campaign (Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, Kingston, Dallas, Acworth, Pine Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, Smyrna Camp Ground, Chattahoochee River, Atlanta, Red Oak, Lovejoy’s Station)
  • Columbia (skirmish)
  • Nashville

Casualties

At Perryville, the 59th Illinois Infantry lost 113 killed and wounded out of 361 men engaged. During the Battle of Nashville, the regiment lost approximately one-third of its number engaged, including 9 officers. Detailed total casualty figures for the entire service period are not fully reported in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel John C. Kelton
  • Colonel P. Sidney Post
  • Lieutenant Colonel Charles H. Frederick
  • Lieutenant Colonel Calvin H. Frederick
  • Lieutenant Colonel Joshua C. Winters
  • Lieutenant Colonel Clayton Hale
  • Major P. Sidney Post
  • Major D. McGibbon
  • Major Joshua C. Winters
  • Major Clayton Hale
  • Major James M. Stookey

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 59th Illinois Infantry, including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and other service details for those who served in the regiment.

To view the full roster, visit the 59th Illinois Infantry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 8, 16, 20, 23, 30, 38, 45
  • Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois
  • Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
  • Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
  • Contemporary regimental and state histories
Scroll to Top